Assistant News Director

Job Description

WTAE-TV, the Hearst-owned ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, PA has an immediate opening for Assistant News Director. The ideal candidate has just the right mix of journalistic passion, vision, leadership, creativity and organizational skills. The Assistant News Director will oversee daily news and weather coverage, special projects, scheduling and staff development. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, skilled communicator who leads our team in the execution of market-leading breaking news, weather coverage and community service on all platforms daily. This position will wear many different hats, so candidates should have significant experience in various newsroom roles.

Job Responsibilities:
• Overall direction of daily news coverage by coordinating efforts of producers, reporters, assignment desk and digital staff.
• Hands-on execution of breaking news and severe weather coverage.
• Planning and execution of special events, such as elections, major sports events and prolonged large-scale stories.
• Development and execution of special projects stories.
• Scheduling all on-air personnel and coordinating time off.
• Staff development through regular critiques of producers, reporters, photographers, editors and assignment editors and through recruiting.
• Constantly evaluating and upgrading newsroom organizational systems and technological tools.
• Coordinating large-scale news projects that encompass several departments.
• Coordinating the hiring of photographers, associate producers, assignment editors and editors. Oversight over hiring begins with posting the position and runs through to the new employee's onboarding/training plan. Assist in the recruiting and hiring of other news personnel.
• Participating in daily story meetings.
• Helping to coordinate talent appearances at station events.
• Preparing awards tapes and entries.
• Responding to viewer e-mails.
• Approving weekly timecards.
• Tracking and follow-up of on-air discrepancies.
• In charge of promotable story planning process, including working closely with Creative Services Department.
• Participate in development of long-term strategies and take charge of executing strategies.

Experience Requirements:
• Minimum of 3-5 years news management experience with a track record of both innovation and success.
• Strong producing background preferred.
• Experience dealing with the stress and pressure of time-sensitive newscast production.

Qualifications Requirements:
• Individual must have a passion for news and communication skills to manage a large staff and multiple hours of daily newscasts.
• Strong communication and people skills.
• Creativity is a must.

Education:
• Bachelor's Degree or related military training in Broadcast Communications, Journalism, or related field.
• Hearst Television is a proud supporter of military veterans. Related military training and experience will be considered

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d87w5m-18-117-196-184-42 in your application.